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Liakhovich seeks overturn of knockout by Wilder

Former heavyweight champion Sergei Liakhovich has filed a formal protest, claiming undefeated Deontay Wilder hit him with illegal punches, which caused him to be knocked out in the first round on Aug. 9 at the

Former heavyweight champion Sergei Liakhovich has filed a formal protest, claiming undefeated Deontay Wilder hit him with illegal punches, which caused him to be knocked out in the first round on Aug. 9 at the Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino in Indio, Calif.

Liakhovich's attorney, Anthony Cardinale, filed the protest with the California State Athletic Commission Thursday, seeking a hearing to change the outcome to a "no contest" due to "obvious violations" of the CSAC rules and regulations.

"I am confident that the California State Athletic Commission operates at a high level of professionalism and will not stand for Wilder's illegal tactics and change the decision to 'no contest'," Liakhovich said. "Video and pictures support what really happened. It is illegal to hit behind the ear, on the back of the neck, and on the back of the head.

"Since when is swinging your hands any way you want called boxing? How can Wilder be proud of this kind of win? I understand that everybody in America is looking for a new star but he is not it. My goal is to get a rematch with Wilder and fight him according to the rules of boxing."

The alleged illegal blows came in succession, Liakhovich claims, behind his ear and neck and to the back of his skull. A video of the punches and still photos were filed as evidence.

Team Liakhovich also claimed that referee Tom Taylor was not in position to view the alleged llegal punches, despite being warned during a pre-fight meeting about potential fouling on Wilder's part.

Wilder, 27, the last American male to win an Olympic boxing medal (bronze in Beijiing in 2008), improved to 29-0 with 29 KOs with the victory.